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Einstein Bros. Bagels announced a partnership with Starlight Children’s Foundation to sponsor a Fun Center mobile entertainment unit in each Starlight Children’s Foundation supported hospital where Einstein Bros. opens a new location. The very first Fun Center to be sponsored by Einstein Bros. will be unveiled on September 13 at Duke Children’s Hospital & Health Center in Durham, North Carolina.

Designed to combat the anxiety and weariness faced by hospitalized children, a Fun Center features a Nintendo Wii gaming system, a DVD player, and a Sharp AQUOS LCD television. Fun Centers help seriously ill children and their families cope with their pain, fear, and isolation through entertainment.

“Starlight Children’s Foundation is one of the nation’s most meaningful causes, and we stand side by side with this organization to provide entertainment and financial support for Starlight programs,” says Jeff O’Neill, CEO of Einstein Noah Restaurant Group. “We recognize the importance of philanthropy and look forward to working with Starlight to make the lives of hospitalized children a little better through these Fun Centers.”

Since the program’s inception more than 25 years ago, more than 6,000 Fun Centers have been placed at more than 1,300 hospitals throughout North America.

“Fun Centers address the isolation and fear sick children often experience in the hospital,” says Jenny Isaacson, vice president of brand marketing and communications for Starlight Children’s Foundation. “We know the positive impact a Fun Center can have especially when parents and other visitors aren’t able to be at a child’s bedside. We are thrilled to partner with Einstein Bros. Bagels to ease loneliness and anxiety while helping kids just be kids even when they’re in the hospital.”